Flat solar water heater collector

ABSTRACT

Two sheets of polymer are sealed (S) and produce some dams (Ch 1,  Ch 2,  Ch 3 , . . . ) behind which water is trapped. These dams (Ch 1,  Ch 2,  Ch 3 , . . . ) trap some water around 3-5 liter water per 1 square meter of collector. Water remains behind these dams (Ch 1,  Ch 2,  Ch 3 , . . . ) till its temperature raises. Hot water goes out and cold water is replaced. The temperature of water is controlled by a thermostat (W) which its sensor (T) is located under the collector ( FIG. 2 ) exactly under the dams { Ch (n−1) } where the water is trapped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hot water production is very important to us-specially in winter. One ofthe main applications of fossil fuel has been production of hot water.The population of the world and the consumption of fossil fuel arerising—hence more environment pollution. So we must use green energyinstead of fossil fuel. We use a lot of energy for chillers in housesand offices in summer, but in these hot days we consume fossil fuel toheat water for baths and pools!

Solar water heaters are made in different ways. At least 200 inventionscan be found in The United States. Solar water heater collectors come indifferent varieties: Flat collectors, Concentrating collectors andvacuum tube collectors.

Flat collectors are divided into two groups: flat collectors with pipes,and flat collectors without pipes. Flat collectors with pipes have sinusor spiral metal pipes in contact with black metal sheets. All metalpipes and black metal sheets are placed in an insulating panel. A glasscovers the panel. A carrier (antifreeze fluid) transfers heat from panelto the water in an insulated tank. This kind of collector has lessefficiency because the heat exchange area has reduced, but the price hasincreased.

Flat collectors without pipes have two metal sheets in between; whichfluid passes. These metal sheets are placed in an insulating panel. Aglass covers the panel. These kind of collectors are more efficient thancollectors with pipes because the heat exchange area has increased andthey are cheaper since the pipes have been eliminated.

There was a need for a better water heater; with corrosive propertiesand cheaper materials; to overcome the problems of the past waterheaters.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Flat solar water heater collector of this invention is made of polymersheets with 50-200 micron thickness (FIG. 2). Micron-thickness ofpolymers is good heat conductive. For example: A bag of polyethylene(using for food) full of water can stand 800° Celsius. As displayed inFIG. 3; a foil of aluminum F covers polymer P to protect it fromdestructive effect of sunshine especially ultraviolet. The foil F iscovered by a black dye Y which converts solar energy to heat.

In FIG. 1; collector Q is in a panel. The panel is covered by glass Gthat lets sunshine pass through, however the glass does not let heatescape. Two sheets of polymer are sealed S in order to trap water behindthe dams (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . ).

A water inlet A is located higher than a water outlet U so the watermoves down by gravity. But then it is trapped by the first dam Ch1. Thefirst dam is overflowed by water then water moves down towards thesecond dam Ch2. All dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . are overflowed by water insequences then the water moves out from the collector (FIG. 2) throughwater outlet U. These dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . trap some water (around3-5 liters of water per 1 square meter of collector). Sunshine passesthrough the glass G and is converted by black cover Y to heat.

Aluminum foil F transfers heat to polymer and water. Trapped waterbehind the dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . gets warm and hot by heatconduction and convection. A sensor of thermostat T opens an electricalfaucet R, and therefore Cold water goes into the collector (FIG. 2).When cold water is released behind the first dam Ch1, it pushes hotwater upwards. This physical effect causes hot water to downfall intothe next dam Ch2. This effect happens to all dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . .At last the hot water exits through water outlet U. When cold waterreaches the sensor T, thermostat W closes the electrical faucet R andtherefore cold water stays in the collector and becomes hot.

This kind of polymer collector is very cheap and light and it can bemade in any size (FIGS. 2 and 4) and they can also be rolled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1; displays a flat polymer collector.

FIG. 2; displays a polymer collector up close with its many dams.

FIG. 3; displays polymer layers of a polymer collector; the sealinglayers.

FIG. 4; displays a schematic view of the polymer collector.

LIST OF ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   Aluminum Foil F    -   Polymer cover P    -   Black dye Y    -   Collector Q    -   Glass G    -   Sealed sheets of Polymer S    -   Dams Ch1, Ch2 , . . .    -   Water Inlet A    -   Water Outlet U    -   Sensor for Thermostat T    -   Thermostat W    -   Heat Insulator K    -   Electric Faucet R    -   Frame V

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFICATION

Micron-thickness of polymers is good heat conductive. For example: A bagof polyethylene (using for food) full of water can stand 800° Celsius.So we can use them for solar water heater collector instead of metalsheets. Polymers with high melting point have longer lifetime thanpolymers with low melting point. Polyethylene is the cheapest polymer,but its lifetime is short. Polyethylene is the best for winter.

Silicone rubber is the best polymer for this kind of collector. All kindof polymer sheets can be used.

A foil of aluminum F, covers a polymer P, to protect it from destructiveeffect of sunshine especially ultraviolet. The foil F is covered byblack dye Y which converts solar energy in to heat. Two sheets ofpolymer are sealed S. Sealing depends on the polymer: Thermal sealing,waterproof sealant, mechanical seal (pressure), etc.

When we use mechanical seal by a metal frame (not shown), we can use allkind of polymer sheets. Aluminum foil (not shown) and two sheets ofpolymer (not shown) and insulation material (not shown) are between twoframes of metal (not shown) which produce pressure. The pressure pointsproduce some dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . Mechanical seal is economic.

As displayed in FIG. 1; flat polymer collector Q is located in a panel.Back of the panel is closed by a metal sheet B and an aluminum frame Vsurrounds the panel. Heat insulation K is located back and around thecollector Q.

A glass G is placed in front of the panel. A water inlet A is situatedat higher level than a water outlet U. Sensor of thermostat T is betweenthe collector Q and heat insulation K exactly where the water is trappedby dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . .

The collector Q is supplied by a ⅙ inch polymer pipe E which connect toan electrical faucet R. The thermostat W opens or closes the electricalfaucet R.

FIG. 2, displays a 180 cm*90 cm polymer collector. Water inlet A issituated at higher level than water outlet U ,so when water downfalls bygravity, water is trapped by dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . . About 3-5 literof water per 1 square meter of collector is trapped. Sensor ofthermostat T will be located under collector exactly under the dam Ch(n−1) where the water is trapped.

FIG. 3, displays a section of the polymer collector Q. The collector ismade of two layers of polymer P, with 50-200 micron thickness. These twolayers are sealed S by any kind of sealant depending on the polymer, forexample: thermal, waterproof sealant or pressure of a metal frame (notshown) on the two layers. An aluminum foil F covers the polymer P inorder to protect the polymer P from sunshine. The black dye Y on thealuminum foil F produces heat by adsorbing solar energy.

FIG. 4, displays a larger size of the polymer collector (4 meter*80centimeter). Water inlet A and water outlet U. Two layers of polymer aresealed S and produce some dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . . Sensor ofthermostat T will be located under it exactly under the dam Ch (n−1)where the water is trapped.

The collector (FIG. 2) is put into a panel (FIG. 1). Aluminum frame Vwas used for panel because it is light. As an example a rectangularaluminum profile 2.5*9.5 centimeter was used. Back of the panel isclosed by a metal sheet B.

A Polystyrene foam with 3 centimeter thickness or more (not shown) and asheet of fiber with 0.6 millimeter thickness or more (not shown) areused for insulation K for back of the collector Q. Polystyrene foamremains intact because sensor of the thermostat T does not let thetemperature go up in the panel (FIG. 1). Collector Q and fiber (notshown) protect polystyrene foam from ultraviolet.

Polystyrene with 5*5 centimeter thickness is used for insulation Karound the collector Q. This becomes a base for supporting the glass Gwhere it will be covered by aluminum foil (not shown) to protect it fromUV. Collector Q must be attached to a fiber (not shown) evenly in orderto avoid sliding and producing folds.

Before installation of collector Q, sensor of the thermostat T must beexactly put under the dam {Ch (n−1)} where the water is trapped. A cutis made on the 9.5 centimeter side of aluminum frame V for water inletof the collector A and water outlet of the collector U.

A ⅙ inch-polymer pipe E is used for supplying water to the collector.One side of the pipe E is connected to an electrical faucet R andanother side is into the water inlet of the collector A. The pipe E isfixed on the aluminum frame V to avoid damaging the collector Q.

Electrical faucet R is controlled by a thermostat W which its sensor Tis placed in the panel (FIG. 1) between the collector Q and insulation Kexactly under the dam {Ch (n−1)} where the water is trapped.

The best regulation for thermostat W is 65° Celsius in winter and 55°Celsius in summer, but we can adjust it for any degrees (less than 100°Celsius in which water boils).

The water inlet A is located higher than the water outlet U so the watermoves down by gravity. But water is trapped by the first dam Ch1. Thefirst dam is overflowed by water then water moves down toward the seconddam Ch2. All dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . are overflowed by water insequences then the water exits from the collector (FIG. 2) through wateroutlet U. These dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . . trap some water (around 3-5liter water per 1 square meter collector).

When the solar radiation passes through the glass G and is changed toheat by black dye Y, trapped water behind the dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . .will get hot by heat conduction and convection at a desired temperaturethe sensor of the thermostat T opens the electrical faucet R.

Continuously cold water enters into the collector Q (FIG. 2). When thiscold water arrives behind the first dam Ch1, it pushes the heated waterupwards. This physical effect causes hot water to downfall into thesecond dam Ch2. This effect happens to all dams Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, . . .continuously and respectively.

At last hot water exits out through water outlet U for the consumer touse. When cold water reaches the sensor of thermostat sensor T,thermostat W closes the electrical faucet R and therefore cold waterstays in collector Q (FIG. 2) to get hot.

Thermostat W closes electrical faucet R during night and cloudy sky. Ifthe temperature is low, water freezes in the collector Q and does notdamage the collector Q because water is between polymer sheets. The icewill be defrosted by solar radiation and becomes hot water and goes out.

Water outlet of the collector U goes into a funnel-shaped pipe (notshown) which brings hot water to an insulated-polymer tank (not shown).All pipes (not shown) that bring the hot water must be insulated. Thetank (not shown) is made of polymer (Polyethylene) which is insulated bypolystyrene foam (not shown).

The temperature of the hot water that exits from the collector is lessthan 70° Celsius (when thermostat adjusted to 65° Celsius) so it doesnot have any effect on the tank (not shown). A polymer-tank (not shown)is not corroded by water and it can be cleaned from mineral depositsevery year. The polyethylene tank (not shown) is covered by insulation(not shown) so that it won't be damaged by UV. So it is claimed toproduce a whole polymer solar water heater.

The temperature of the water in the tank (not shown) is almost equal;therefore the user does not need cold-water faucet (not shown).Production of hot water increases in the summer, but the temperatureinside the panel (FIG. 1) and water depends on the thermostat W.

Q=M.C(T2−T1)   (1)

-   -   C=heat capacity is constant    -   Q=heat increases in summer    -   T2=temperature is constant (adjusted by thermostat)    -   M=mass of water increases.

Formula (1) shows that thermostat W does not let the temperature insidethe panel and water to increase beyond a certain level and it will openthe electrical faucet R when desired temperature is reached.

In a different embodiment a larger collector can be produced asdisplayed FIG. 4. In this embodiment all panels (not shown) must be madeand mounted like each other. Collectors (not shown) which are used inpanels (not shown) must be made exactly like one another. They have tohave the same size and dams. And their polymer sheets (not shown) andpolymer thickness and sealing must be alike.

Height of all water inlets of all the collectors (not shown) must belocated at the same level in order to get same supply of water. Allpipes (not shown) that supply water must have the same size and theymust connect to one electrical faucet (not shown). With this design,temperature of a lot of these panels (not shown) can be regulated by athermostat (not shown) and a sensor of the thermostat in a panel (notshown).

Heat production of all panels (not shown) is the same and they get equalamounts of water by electrical faucet (not shown). The water trappedbehind each dam is almost the same throughout.

It is understood that the above description and drawings areillustrative of the present invention and that changes may be made inmaterials, method steps without departing from the scope of the presentinvention as defined in the following claims.

1. A flat solar water heater comprising a collector placed in a panel;wherein said panel comprises heat insulation located around and on backof said collector; an aluminum frame surrounds said panel and back ofsaid panel is closed by a metal sheet wherein a glass is placed in frontof said panel; said collector comprises a water inlet and a wateroutlet; wherein said water inlet is located at a distal end of saidcollector and said water outlet is located a formal end; a sensor ofthermostat is located inside said collector measuring temperature ofwater trapped inside said collector and sending data to a thermostat;wherein said thermostat operates a water faucet to transport heatedwater or cold water as needed.
 2. The solar water heater of claim 1,further comprising at least two sheets of polymer, covered in aluminumfoil; wherein said aluminum foil is covered in a black dye, convertingsolar energy to heat; wherein said panel is covered by glass, lettingsunshine through.
 3. The flat solar water heater of claim 2, whereinsaid two sheets of polymer are sealed, and creating many dams fortrapping water in between.
 4. The solar water heater of claim 3, whereinsaid sensor of thermostat is placed under said panel between saidcollector and said insulation; exactly under one before last of said maydams where water is trapped.
 5. The flat solar water heater of claim 4,wherein said dams are parallel and are connected with each other throughan opening; wherein said opening allows water to move from one of saidmany dams to another one of said many dams when level of said watertrapped behind each of one of said many dams overflows a wall of saidopening.
 6. The flat solar water heater of claim 5, wherein said inletis located at a first dam and said water outlet is located at an end ofa last dam.
 7. The flat solar water heater of claim 6, wherein said twosheets of polymer are parallel to each other and said seal connects saidtwo sheets of polymer perpendicularly and wherein said black dye coversa distal side of said aluminum foil wherein said aluminum foil is placedon distal end of one of said polymer sheets placed distally in withregards to another one of said polymer sheet and wherein said aluminumfoil transfers heat to said polymer sheets and said water.
 8. The flatsolar water heater of claim 7, wherein said panel is light weight usingpolystyrene foam for insulation; wherein said polystyrene foam increasesdurability of said panel and reduces temperature inside said panel;wherein said thermostat regulates said temperature inside said panel. 9.The flat solar water heater of claim 8 wherein said collector is verycheap and very simple to produce and does not corrode with water. 10.The flat solar water heater of claim 9, wherein said collector is rolleddue to its elasticity and comprises a very long length.
 11. The flatsolar water heater of claim 9, wherein said temperature of said waterincreases between layers of said polymer; and wherein said water freezesinside said collector without damaging it; solar energy will defrost iceinside said collector and increase said temperature next day.
 12. Theflat solar water heater of claim 11; wherein said water moves toadjacent dams respectively by force of gravity and no motor is neededfor circulation of said water and therefore said flat solar waterheater's electricity consumption is very minimum.
 13. The flat solarwater heater of claim 12; wherein when electricity is disconnected andcut from said collector, said trapped water behind each one of said manydams starts to boil and creates steam; however said water inlet and saidwater outlet are open and therefore steam does not damage said collectorexiting said water inlet and water outlet.
 14. The flat solar waterheater of claim 13 wherein said collector does need a safety valve; anda temperature of said collector does not rise more than 100° Celsiustill said trapped water completely exits said many dams.
 15. The flatsolar water heater of claim 14 wherein said sensor of thermostat opensup said faucet and therefore cold water enters inside said collector;said cold water is trapped behind said first dam and therefore pushes upsaid water that was originally trapped and heated behind said first dam;said cold water moves said water into one of said many dams adjacent tosaid first dam; until said water is moved to said last dam and exitsthrough said outlet.
 16. The flat solar water heater of claim 15,wherein said cold water reaches said sensor of thermostat; saidthermostat closes said faucet and therefore said cold water will betrapped inside said collector till it is heated.
 17. The flat solarwater heater of claim 16, wherein a polymer pipe supplies said coldwater to said collector and wherein said pipe is connected to saidfaucet on a formal end; and on a distal end it is connected to saidwater inlet.
 18. The flat solar water heater of claim 17, wherein saidtemperature is preferably regulated at 65° Celsius in winter and 55°Celsius in summer, but can be adjusted for any degrees Below 100°Celsius.
 19. The flat solar water heater of claim 18, wherein saidthermostat closes said faucet during night and cloudy sky.
 20. The flatsolar water heater of claim 19, wherein said water outlet is connectedto a funnel-shaped insulated pipe wherein said heated water istransferred into an insulated polymer tank.